Data Validation | Why do I see paid search in the natural search report

[walter_euyang]

Hi,

When I breakdown the Natural Search Engines report by sc_channel, the external marketing channels custom variable we set up, I see Paid Search (ps) as the top channel.

[img]Search Engines Natural Report.png[/img]

I set up the paid search detection rules to capture both sc_channel=ps and sc_channel=PS. 

Any ideas why I see paid search in the natural search engines report?

Thanks,

Walter

[Alexis_Cazes_ · Accepted solution]

Hi Walter,

It seems the sc_channel is an eVar, eVar45 to be exact. What might happen is that the value in the eVar persist when the customer comes via Natural Search.

So the scenario would be :

Paid search >> eVar45 set to paid

The customer comes back via Natural search and the value that persist in the eVar in paid search.

I hope it helps you.

Best regards.

Alexis